Download 1_1AIntroGov.pps - RLHonorsGovMaris

Basic Principles of Government
• Define Government
• Government Systems
• Government Forms
LEQ:
why is a government system necessary?
“man is a political animal”
- Aristotle, Politics
The State
Many concepts of government, such as politics,
democracy, and republic, originated in ancient Greece
(Aristotle) and Rome.
1. Politics: affairs of state, from polis a Greek city-state.
2. State (political): political community that occupies a
definite territory and has an organized government
with the power to make and enforce laws without
approval from any higher authority.
3. Nation-state: A political unit consisting of an autonomous state
inhabited predominantly by a people sharing a common culture,
history, and language.
Four Characteristics of the State
1. Population – Each state has a
defined group of people
2. Territory – Each state has known
boundaries.
3. Sovereignty – Each state has
absolute power within its territory.
4. Government – Each state has a
government through which it
accomplishes it’s goals.
Political Legitimacy
• Why does “politics” have a negative connotation
sometimes?
• What makes a government legitimate?
Government v. Politics
Government
Politics
1. Institution
2. makes and enforces
its public policies
(goals/law).
1. Process
2. Decides how power
and resources are
distributed
3. Practice or profession
of conducting
political affairs.
Example: The right to vote (Gov.) – Voting (Politics)
Types of Public Policies
Public Policies:
-Taxes
-Defense
-Education
-Crime
-Healthcare
-Environment
-Civil Rights
-The List is Endless
Government Systems
•
•
•
•
How is Power distributed?
Federal System (United States)
Unitary System (UK, France)
Confederal System (Articles of Confederation,
C.S.A.)
Federal System
• Power of
Government
divided between a
central and
state/local
governments.
• Both derive power
from a higher
authority (ie. A
constitution)
Federalism
• “If their [the peoples’] rights are invaded by either
[State or Federal Gov.], they can make use of
the other as the instrument of redress.” –
Hamilton, Federalist No. 28
• What are examples of Federalism in the U.S.
Constitution?
Unitary System
• Centralized
Government
• All power held
by one central
authority
• Local
government
granted power
by it
Confederal
System
• Alliance of
Independent States
• Create central Gov.
• Power limited
typically to defense
and foreign
commerce
Forms of Government
• Who governs and who participates in Gov.?
• There are many different types of governments deriving
from different values emphasized by a state.
Governments may be more civil, economic, religious, or a
combination in nature.
• Basic Forms:
• Autocracy (autocrat, monarch, despot, tyrant,
dictator)
• Oligarchy (aristocratic)
• Democracy (democratic)
Democracy v. Republic
1. “The two great points of difference between a democracy
and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government,
in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the
rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater
sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended”
(Madison Fed. 10).
2. Democracy: “Rule of Many” (direct)
3. Republic: Representative democracy (indirect)
4. A republic has a professional network of politicians.
2. Democratic republic: a state in which the supreme power
rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and
representatives responsible to them (Popular Sovereignty).
Economic Forms of Gov.
1. Communism - a system of government in which
the state plans and controls the economy and a
single - often authoritarian - party holds power;
state controls are imposed with the elimination
of private ownership of property or capital while
claiming to make progress toward a higher social
order in which all goods are equally shared by
the people (i.e., a classless society).
•
Examples: China, Cuba
Economic Forms of Gov.
2. Socialism - a government in which the means
of planning, producing, and distributing
goods is controlled by a central government
that theoretically seeks a more just and
equitable distribution of property and labor.
3. Capitalism - market economy with little to no
government control.
– The U.S. economy is mixed with some regulation
but is mostly based on Free-Enterprise.
Religious Forms of Gov.
• Theocracy - a form of government in which a
Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler,
but the Deity's laws are interpreted by
ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs,
etc.); a government subject to religious
authority.
• Examples:
– Iran (Theocratic Republic)
– Afghanistan (Islamic Republic)
Other Significant Forms
Constitutional:
– a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution)
that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines
the nature, functions, and limits of that government (limited government).
Parliamentary:
– Chief executive (Prime Minister) is chosen by and is a member of the legislature
(parliament) .
– Prime Minister’s Questions
Presidential:
– Executive branch exists separately from the legislature.
Summarizing Questions
• Describe 3 different forms of
government.
• What is the purpose of government?
U.S. Constitution
Preamble
We the people of the United
States, in order to form a more
perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote
the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
The Purposes and Effects of Government
Purposes
Maintain social order
Positive Effects
Gov’t makes & enforces laws allowing
people to live in an orderly, civilized manner
Must pay taxes, court system
Provide public services
Promote the general welfare
** do things than no one else will do –
inspect food, provide sewers, clean water
Provide for national security & a
common defense
Protect from attack by other states
Providing for and controlling the
economic system
Pass laws to control economic conditions,
distribute public services, control inflation &
trade, natural resource development
** treaties, trade agreements
Task
• Using the definitions of different systems and
forms of government. Define American
government in one paragraph.
• Then define U.S. Government in one sentence.
– https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/fields/2128.html
U.S. Governmnet
• “Constitution-based federal republic; strong
democratic tradition” (CIA definition).
Resources
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/fields/2128.html
• http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/par
liament-government-andpolitics/parliament/prime-ministersquestions/